Where to camp in South Wales?

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We have only one camping trip left this summer and are looking forward to next year. We've never been to Wales and really fancy the South for a visit next summer.

It will be us (DH, 2 DC aged 16 and nearly 12), my big brother and his DC (15 and 13 respectively) and my parents.

We prefer a smaller site and as DN1 is autistic, one that is quiet in an evening is helpful. If not smaller, a little able to spread out or be away from crowds is helpful. While we as a family like wild camping, my Dad has Parkinson's and though he is early in diagnosis and comparatively well, we need decent and accessible shower/toilet options. Ideally, family or disabled options where Mum can accompany him in the shower.

I don't love the beach but will go to them if they have rock pooling or climbing or water sports. We all surf and paddle board so don't mind an active beach but not bothered about sitting on sand and eating it in dry sandwiches. We all like sea swimming too

Like culture, particularly museums and art. I'm a wee bit obsessed with steam trains and living or social history, really interested in the history of collieries/mining and any decent second hand bookshops are a bonus. We all like birds and DH and I love hiking.

Have you stayed in a campsite that we would like and would suit our various needs or match any interests? Or any recommendations for places to visit? We've been to Beamish this summer and the Open Air Museum was hands down, the best place I've ever been to in my life. Anything like that is perfect.

Celtic camping in Pembrokeshire is lovely. Stunning views, large area and option of a bunk house (exclusive hire) for those not keen on canvas.

Lleithyr farm is also great (added bonus is its (longish) walking distance to st David's and close to surfing/bodyboarding for the teens. Both laid back sites, we weren't in peak season admittedly but not too busy

I can't suggest campsites but I live about half an hour from Cardiff so have museum suggestions.

For museums the Big Pit is great, it's an old coal mine and they take you down into the pit for a tour as well as a more traditional museum being situated up top.

St Fagins is also great, its a living history museum where they have relocated historical buildings from all over Wales and also have presentations of traditional crafts.

How far are you prepared to travel each day to get to things? Both of these are in the east and I think most people tend to pick West Wales for holidays.

If you were interested in this area you potentially you could look to stay somewhere in the Brecon Beacons but quite South? Obviously no beaches but there are other places that offer watersports. Llandegfedd Reservoir is one.

For secondhand books Hay on Wye has a book festival every year. I've never been but from what I've heard it is very busy so may not be suitable for your niece/nephew with autism. Plus depending on where you stay it's probably going to be a longish drive.

I will happily drive and am not averse to going a couple of hours away to visit somewhere of interest. And we aren't wedded to South Wales but have friends who've been and I have always wanted to see Cardiff and the Rhondda Valley.

The Big Pit sounds absolutely perfect. My whole family were miners and I'm a bit of a mining buff. Seeing the colliery at Beamish this week made me sob. I find pit history extraordinarily moving.

Not so bothered about beaches but other family like them and I will go if there's an active option.

I'll check out both campsites @gogohmm The bunkhouse sounds like it might be a useful option if my dear old dad needs it or DS continues to think airbeds are sent to test him!

What about somewhere like Fforest fields?
www.fforestfields.co.uk

Oh gosh. Beautiful. I've sent it to family as a contender. Have you been?

Not for a few years but they’ve only upgraded it and added the cottages in that time.

It’s in a beautiful spot.

depending on where you’re travelling from you could go to Big Pit or St Fagans on the way

Heritage Coast Campsite. It has accessible facilities the location is perfect.

If you would like to follow up the suggestions made by @Nookable then I would recommend the campsite in the car park at Nashpoint. It is run by the (lovely) guy in the Cliffop cafe and is right by it. It is quiet but has fab views and a loo etc which was scrupulously clean when I was there this summer.

The coast path takes you right in to the lighthouse enclosure so you can get up close to the foghorn station

www.facebook.com/clifftopcafenashpoint

Plenty of shops and cafes etc in nearby Llantwit Major. There's also a beautiful walled garden at Dunraven to explore.

Not sure if this is too far but bargoedfarm.co.uk

DH stayed last year for an event there and said it was a really nice site.
We're staying for a few nights next month so good to hear it's recommended.

Fforest fields has a lovely lake where people can swim/paddle board/kayak so best of both worlds. Also very near the Elan Valley which is great for a visit. It's not that far from there to the west coast, Aberystwyth for example. It's definitely doable to visit Big pit from there which I would highly recommend as it's wonderful. My other recommends would be Three cliffs bay campsite, knockout views and then you are then very nr Swansea and right on the Gower. Or Carfai bay nr St. David's great location not far to Whitesands for surfing. None of these are wild camping type places but are in great locations.

If you end up going to Fforest Fields then you should definitely check out a red kite feeding. They're beautiful birds and a real conservation success.

Red kite feeding you say? We all love birds but DN1 has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things bird.

I'm doing some research now.

My brother has just messaged to say his colleague recommends the Heritage Coast site as well!

Oxwich Bay campsite looked really nice when I was there recently.

I wouldn’t 100% count on the 16 year olds wanting to join next year!

We've been to Fforest Fields a lot, and it is absolutely lovely. Very quiet (and that is strictly enforced), great toilets/ showers, and we always make a lot of use of the lake.

Wiseman's Bridge near Saundersfoot. The campsite only has 6 tent pitches and about 10-15 hard standings for motor homes. Right on the beach but it's more of a pebble beach. You can walk to Saundersfoot on a coastal path and it takes 10-15 minutes. Tenby close by too.

Spectacular piece of coast and if you do decide to visit a sandy beach look up Barafundle Bay. Always makes the top ten beaches of UK lists.

Why on earth not? My DD (15 right now but will be 16 when we go) suggested Wales and loves camping with her family. And the other 15yr old is autistic and has quite significant needs related to this. Camping is her happy place!

I really can't imagine a world in which they suddenly won't want to come on holiday with us.

www.afonteifi.co.uk

Fabulous family owned/run site. Facilities are spotlessly clean/well maintained.

Lots of places to visit close by, nice park.
I absolutely loved it and I’m not a massive camping fan.

If you are going to the Rhondda then the Rhondda heritage park museum is a good spot to start, right at the bottom of the Rhondda.

Three cliffs Bay campsite gower if you want a beachy option.

I second forest fields. The showers are large if someone needed to go in with your dad.

Although quite a drive St Fagans is worth a trip, as is Big Pit.

Another vote for Heritage Coast Campsite. It's close enough to Big Pit and St Fagan's for visits (both are fantastic), not far from Cardiff (you could park at Penarth and walk across the barrage or get a boat), and also close by some really stunning coastline. The huge dunes at Merthyr Mawr are amazing too.

If you loved Beamish you MUST visit St Fagan's - it's the same deal, only Welsh.
Big Pit is interesting too, also Rhondda Heritage Park.
We loved the National Botanic Garden of Wales which is out into Carmarthenshire and the Gower Coast is lovely.
If you can find somewhere to camp in the Vale of Glamorgan between Cardiff and Swansea, all these places would be easily accessible, plus you can get into Cardiff Bay by boat or walking / cycling over the barrage from Penarth so you wouldn't have to worry about parking